From the Past
Michael Eustace (1830-1915)
85 Years old and in Pierce County sixty-five years; Survived by Wife Who Was
First White Person Born in Pierce County, Washington
Michael Eustace, age 85, the last of a widely known pioneer family of that name,
who had been a resident of Pierce County 65 years, died yesterday (November 29,
1915) at his home in Puyallup.
A year and a half ago Mr. and Mrs. Eustace moved to Puyallup from their
pre-emption claim near Spanaway, where they had lived continuously since their
settlement in this county in 1850. Mrs. Eustace was the first white person born
in Pierce County.
Mr. Eustace was but 20 years old when he came to the West, having spent eight
years in New York. A number of years after his arrival in the Northwest, Mr.
Eustace married Annie, the daughter of John Rigney.
Mr. Eustace came to this section many years before Tacoma existed and what is
now Pierce County consisted of a few scattered families of pioneers and the
settlement of Fort Stellacoom. Although Mr. Eustace did not take up arms against
Indians in the wars that followed, there stood a barn on the old homestead that
was used as a fort to protect the neighboring families. The old barn was burned
a few years ago and a more modern structure now stands in its place.
Mr. Eustace was born in Westmeath County, Ireland. He was the son of Michael and
Mary (Martin) Eustace. At the age of 12, he removed to New York where he
remained eight years.
He is survived by his wife and many distant relatives in Pierce County,
including many other pionmeer families. Mr. Eustace is survived by three
children, James of Puyallup; George of Stockton, California; and Mrs. Mary Foy
of Lacy.
Tacoma (Washington) Daily Ledger, November 30, 1915